Heritage/Historical Tours

Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar

In ancient times a scholar prince named Siddhartha Gautam (Lord Budhha) came to Mahabodhi to get Nirvana in the sixth Century B.C.; it’s holiest destination of Buddhists. Not only Buddhists, but millions of Hindus from around the globe visit this temple to pay their homage to Lord Budhha.

Mahabodhi Temple is also one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, which is worth to visit.

General Information

• Entry fee: No charges

• Timings: 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.

• Camera: 20 INR, and 300 INR for video cameras.

Its meditation park is open from sunrise until sunset. The entry fee is 20 INR for visitors and 25 INR for the ones who meditates.

Humayun Tomb, Delhi

People having quest for rich Mughal architecture can visit to Delhi’s Humayun Tomb – it’s one of the most popular heritage destinations of India. Humayun was son of the first Mughal Emperor of India. Haji Begum, Humayun’s Persian wife, looked after the construction, which began in 1569 (fourteen years after Humayun’s death).
This lovely tomb is in the centre of a square garden & causeways (charbagh) separate this Mughal Tomb into four main gardens. There are water-channels in the centre. You can enter this enclosure through two majestic double-storied gateways situated on the west and south.
Inlaid tile work, carvings comprising both Indian and Persian decorative elements, and carved stone screens – are a few highlights making Humayun Tomb wonderful.

General Information

• Location: Opp. Dargah Nizamuddin, Mathura Road

• Nearest Metro Station: JLN Stadium

• Open: Daily

• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to sunset

• Entry Fee: 10 INR (Indians), 250 INR (foreigners)

• Photography Charges: Nil, (25 INR for video filming)

Red Fort, New Delhi

As and when we discuss rich heritage holiday destinations, the fascinating complex of the Red Fort is must visit place. It was constructed as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, which was the new capital of Shah Jahan – the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Red Fort keeps reminds power of India.
Strong Red sandstone walls of the huge Red Fort (Lal Qila), which are 33-m high were constructed in 1638 to avoid the entry of the invaders.
Its main entry gate that is Lahore Gate, it gets immersed in the freedom celebration and draws a major crowd on every Independence Day.
Its hemispherical dome of Chatta Chowk, there is a market (bazaar) that attracts tourists with a huge variety of items. Chatta Chowk extends to a large fort compound, consisting wonderful collection of huge buildings, including the Drum House, the Pearl Mosque, the Hall of Public Audiences, Royal Baths, Palace of Color and the white marble Hall of Private Audiences.
Visitors can enjoy evening sound and light show that also allows spectator to relive India’s history associated with the fort.

General Information

• Location: Netaji Subhash Marg

• Metro Station: Chandni Chowk

• Open: Tue-Sun; Mondays closed

• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

• Entry Fee: 10 INR (Indians), 250 INR (Foreigners)

• Photography: Nil (25 INR for video filming)

• Sound & Light Shows: 6pm onwards in English and Hindi

• Ticket: 80 INR (adults), 30 INR (children)

Jama Masjid, Delhi

Its a large courtyard with a capacity of 25000 devotees, Jama Masjid located in Old Delhi is the largest in India. It was constructed between 1644 and 1658 and is Shah Jahan’s last architectural opus. This extravagant mosque possesses three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets.
Visitors can enjoy beautiful cabinet in the north gate of Jama Masjid has a collection of Muhammad’s history books – the Koran written on deerskin, as can be seen red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, which are embedded in a marble block.

General Information

• Location: Off Netaji Subhash Marg, west of Red Fort

• Metro Station: Chawri Bazaar

• Open: All days of the week

• Visiting Hours: 7am to Noon, 1.30pm to 6.30pm. Tourists not allowed during prayer hours

• Entry Fee: Free

• Photography: 200 INR

Taj Mahal, Agra

Elegance in Marble, Miracle on earth, listed in 7 wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal or the Crown Palace is the grave of Shah Jahan’s beloved Queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Everlasting beauty of this Palace exceeds all other material beauties, which is heightened with the Jamuna River, which flows near it.
As per wish, imaginations and plans of the King, 22 years (completed around 1953) and around 20000 workers travailed to construct this magnificent construction in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, its standing on an elevated platform, which forms unequal octagon. Taj Mahal intricate detailing engraved on the walls lets India’s travel and tourism shine worldwide.
Taj Mahal’s main central dome is large and four more domes surround the main one. Four tall minarets that have taken up the four corners.
Daily huge number of travellers visits this place, which has become a pleasure for all the people visiting India.

General Information

• Location: Located in Agra, U.P. approx 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Delhi. It’s a famous city of India’s popular Golden Triangle tour.

• Entry Fee: 750 INR (Foreigners), 510 INR (Citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries), 20 INR (Indian), free entry for children below 15 years of age.

Qutub Minar, New Delhi

Qutub Minar was made in 1192 to showcase the beginning of Islamic rule in India – Qutub Minar is 73m high, it is a tower of victory as the building’s construction was commenced by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak right after he declared his victory over the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi.
There are different storeys in the tower and each has an associated balcony. The diameter of the storeys decreases gradually when measured from top to bottom – 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. Red sandstone heightens the beauty of the three stores, while the fourth and fifth storeys are beautified with marble and sandstone. The ground floor of the tower is a Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which is considered as the first mosque to be constructed in India.
An interesting fact to know – The inscribed letters over the eastern gate explain that the Qutub Minar was constructed with the material incurred after destroying ’27 Hindu temples’.
Qutub Minar in Delhi is one of the renowned heritage tourist places of India. It is visited by several tourists every year.

General Information

• Location: Mehrauli

• Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar

• Open: All days

• Qutub Minar entry Fee: 10 INR (Indians), 250 INR (foreigners)

• Days Closed: None

Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka

Visitors in India must visit pompous group of monuments at Hampi, Karnataka. Several Dravidian temples and palaces were constructed during the 14th and 16th centuries and are of big importance for historians as well as architects. In the year 1986 it was declared as world heritage site.
So many other spiritual spots of the place are Virupaksha Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, Vithala Temple, Queen’s Bath, Singaradu Hebbagilu, Ugra Narasimha, Lotus Mahal, and the ruins of Achuta Raya Temple.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Open from sunrise to sunset

• Entry Fee: 10 INR for Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries, 250 INR for others and no entry fee for children up to 15 years.

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka

Visit to Pattadkal to feel the era in which land of India got wealthy with some beautiful architectural marvels that were constructed during the Chalukya dynasty (Indian royal dynasty, ruled big areas of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries), Pattadkal is famous for its ancient temples, located in Karnataka, which was once the second largest city of the Chalukyas.

Again these temples in Pattadkal, are World Heritage Site, these were constructed in Rekha, Nagara, Prasada and the Dravida Vimana styles. Its oldest temple is Sangamesvara, constructed by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (AD 697-733). Other glorious temples are the Kadasiddhesvara, Jambulingeswara both belonged to 7th century A.D. while Galaganatha temple is a century later in the style of Rekha, Nagara, and Prasada. Kasivisvesvara temple was the last to built early Chalukyan style. Great Mallikarjuna temple by Rani Trilokyamahadevi was constructed basically to cherish the victory over the Pallavas by Vikramaditya II. Last temple constructed at Pattadakal was during the reign of Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna II (9th century A.D.). This temple is locally renowned as Jaina Narayana.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Open from sunrise to sunset

• Entry Fee: INR 10 for citizens of India and visitors of SAARC and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar), INR 250 (Others) and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Visitors when travel 46 km northeast of Bhopal to get refined in Sanchi, they also witness unique Buddhist monuments honouring the big Indian state – Madhya Pradesh with its great presence. When you are on your heritage holidays in India you must unleash this oldest Buddhist sanctuary, which was a major Buddhist hub in 12th A.D. Holy centre of Sanchi comprises of several complex structures of the renowned Buddhist legends. Apart from this there are also several monolithic pillars, temples, monasteries, palaces and most of them are built in1st and 2nd centuries A.D. In this group the great Stupa is most popular and it was constructed by Emperor Ashoka the great.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

• Entry Free : INR 10 for citizens of India, US $ 5 for foreigners and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

Famous Kamasutra is known to relate the Khajuraho’s three groups of temples which are among the amazing temple art in the world which is rare anywhere. Its located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India and around 1000AD year old; these group temples of Khajuraho were built during the Chandella Dynasty. In these temples, the marvels of Jain and Brahman monuments are also there. Khajuraho is blend of beauty and architecture which can be seen in these monuments, this uniqueness have made them UNESCO world heritage site.
Earlier there were 85 temples built and out of 85, only 22 managed to survive. Sandstone of various colors is the main element of construction is used. Khajuraho munuments have entrance, hall, vestibule and a sanctum, and fresh air and proper light can enter from huge windows of the temples.
Total 3 regions makes these groups as they are western region, eastern region and southern region of monuments.Its western part consists of Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini, Lakshamana Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Chitragupta Temple and Matangeshwara Temple. While the eastern part of Khajuraho, marvelous temples that can be spotted are Adinatha Temple, Brahma temple, Vamana temple, Ghantai Temple, Parsavanatha Temple and Javari temple. Southern part comprises the Duladeo Temple, and Chaturbhuj Temple.
Dance Festival is organized every year here in the first week of February.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

• Entry Fee: 10 INR for Indians, US $ 5 for foreigners and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

All those lovers of architectural site they have heaven if they go deep into Maharashtra’s Aurangabad where they find mesmerizing Ajanta and Ellora Caves in the Sahyadri Hills. The cave shrines date back to 2nd century BC is created by then skilled artisans with their hands. These are very opular heritage places around the Globe, Ajanta & Ellora caves are accepted as an excellent example of ancient Indian architecture.
The 34 caves at Ellora were chipped during the 350 AD to 700 AD period showcase the three religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. While the 29 caves at Ajanta were carved during a period from 200 BC to 650 AD describe the story of Buddhism.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: From 9 am to 5.30 pm. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora remain closed on Mondays and Tuesdays respectively

• Photography Not allowed inside the caves

• Entry Fee:

Ajanta Caves – 10 INR for Indians, US $ 10 for foreigners and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

• Ellora Caves – Free entry

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar is one of the largest observatories in the world, its great amalgamation of religion, science and art, it is significant name out of the five huge buildings situated in Jaipur, New Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura.
Jaipur Jantar Mantar was constructed in 1720; it was a time when Jaipur was the seat of Maharaja Jai Singh II. Jaipur’s observatory is the biggest of all the five observatories and one can also find a huge sundial here. Jaipur Jantar Mantar’s various architectural and astrological instruments that have captured the interests of astronomers, historians and architects around the world.
Jaipur’s astronomical observatory has fourteen major geometric devices that help in detecting time, identifying the constellations and, even for analyzing the orbits around the sun. Renowned buildings inside the Jantar Mantar are the ‘Samrat Yantra’ – world’s largest sundial, the ‘Hindu Chhatri’, the ‘Jaiprakash Yantra’ and several other geometric structures with astronomical devices to examine the ‘universe’.
General Information

• Entry Fee: 40 INR and 15 INR for Indian tourists and Indian students respectively, 200 INR and 100 INR for foreigner tourists and foreigner students respectively and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

• Visiting Hours: All days of the week 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Mahabalipuram is known as UNESCO World Heritage site it was a port of Pallava Empire in 7th century. These monuments will let you have a glimpse of sculptures and carvings showcasing then artisans’ creativity and craftsmanship, its really one of its kind.
The sculptures were carved from local granite, and the sculptures are categorized into four categories- Rock-cut caves, Monolithic temples or rathas, hewn out of a large boulder, Bas-reliefs in the open air (Considered as unique artistic achievements), Structural temples.
So many sculptures of Mahabalipuram have inspired those in Cambodia, Annam and Java across the world.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Open from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.

• Mahabalipuram Entrance Fee: INR 10 forcitizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar), US $ 5 for foreigners and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh

Fatehpur Sikri is really a unique destination in India for heritage lovers. Fatehpur Sikri attarcts thousands of tourists every year in Uttar Pradesh. Fatehpur Sikri is located 26 kms away from the main city of Agra; it was constructed by Akbar to pay homage to a great Sufi saint.
Fatehpur Sikri design has true Indian character. Its versatile Indo-Muslim composite style designs, which are a fusion of cultures.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

• Fatehpur Sikri Entry Fee: 10 INR for citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar), US $ 5 for foreigners and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

Sun Temple, Konarak, Orissa

Sun temple in Konark Orissa is situated on the bank of the Bay of Bengal, embracing the rays of the glistening sun, the temple at Konarak represents sun god Surya’s chariot. Chariot’s 24 wheels are graced with beautiful designs and it is headed by six horses. Konark temple was built in the 13th century, the temple is one of India’s most famous Brahman sanctuaries and portrays the grace, the joy and the rhythm of Kalinga life.
Visitors must visit this beautiful Indian heritage spot in Orissa to get acquainted with the decorations such as small patterns in bas-relief performed with great precision and also huge free standing sculptures of animals and humans.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

• Konark Entry Fee: 10 INR for citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar), US $ 5 for foreigners and children up to 15 years can enter without any fee.

Amer Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Amer Fort is like one of the magnificent palace – Great Amer Fort was constructed in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. The beauty of red sandstone and marble building gets enhanced with the presence of Moatha Lake. Amer fort consists of Shila Devi Temple and Ganesh Pole. Fort contains several pavilions, halls and other popular attractions to entertain your minds and hearts.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: 8 am to – 5.30

• Entry Fee: 25 INR for citizens of India and 200 INR for foreigners

Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan

Visitors must come Jaiselmer and specially Fort to retain such pretty heritage tourist places in the memories. Rejuvenate yourselves by visiting this fort to get acquainted with different aspects of its own gracious heritage – Epitome of Indian artwork and military magnificence. Jaisalmer Fort is in the middle of the sandy terrain of the Great Thar Desert of Rajasthan(India).
Jaisalmer fort was built by Raja (King) Jaiswal on the top of the Trikuta Hill in 12thcentury. 250 feet tall fort surrounded by fortified walls of 30 feet and 99 bastions for guns depict the planning to survive any fierce attack.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: Early morning till 5 P.M.

• Entry Fee: 30 INR for citizens of India, 50 INR for foreign tourists

• Camera: 70 INR per still camera and 150 INR camcorder

Chittorgarh Fort, Udaipur Rajasthan

The Chittorgarh Fort is a largest fort in India which is a heritage place holding great importance in the history; wonderful palaces and destroyed walls will explain you about the bravery of numerous warriors. Its spread over 700 acres and up to 3 kilometers in length on a high hill near the Gambheri River in Chittorgarh; this large fort has 65 medieval structures, 4 palace complexes, 19 temples, 4 war memorials or the stambhs and 22 water bodies.
Chittorgarh is first hill fort of Rajasthan and its believed to be constructed by Mauryan rulers and Sisodiya clan of Rajputs during the 7th century AD. Chittorgarh is great depiction of the power of Mewar rulers.

General Information

• Entry fee: 5 INR for citizens of India, 100 INR for Foreigners

• Camera: 25 INR (Photography & Videography)

Kumbhalgarh Fort, Udaipur Rajasthan

Kumbhalgarh Fort is around 80 kms north to Udaipur, situated in the Aravali Ranges. Kumbhalgarh was built in 15th century AD by Rana Kumbha, and the fort temporarily dwelled by Mewa rulers in the times of strife. People of Rajasthan keep this very high in respect as it is the birthplace of – Maharana Pratap, Mewar’s legendary king,
Kumbhalgarh’s big wall is as long as 35 kms approx with a width strong to handle any intruders from invading it. Later in the 19th century, this fort was renovated by Maharana Fateh Singh.

General Information

• Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (All days of the week)

• Entry Fee: 10 INR for Indians, 100 INR for Foreigners